To contact Jessica email:

Tag: book reviews

I purchased this book and to my delight it pulled me into the world of possibilities just beyond the human world I know. There were plot twists I didn’t see coming. It took me less than a day to read as I couldn’t put it down.

I would rank this book a five out of five.

What if the Fountain of Youth were a woman and that woman’s blood held the key to eternal youth? For Fae Miller, that is her reality and it will likely kill her.

For centuries, countless adventurers have searched for the Fountain of Youth. Those who found it thought they would gain eternal life. Instead, they find themselves murdered by its guardians. There was, however, one, lone survivor—Fae Miller. As an infant, she not only survived the Fountain, she took its power.

Twenty-two years later, Fae is hiding in plain sight at a local college. She’s is determined to leave the past behind her and live a normal life. But for one dying man, the search for the Fountain of Youth continues, and he is leaving a trail of blood and mutilated bodies in his wake. Unfortunately, that trail leads directly to Fae. Her only hope is a young, new college professor, also known as Special Agent Nick Chase of the FBI. Nick is determined to do two things: keep Fae alive, and keep his relationship with his student professional. Both of these jobs prove difficult—especially when love and magic get involved.

You Can Get Your Copy for Only $2.99!!

Excerpt:

Bathed in moonlight stood the most beautiful scene Fae had ever laid eyes on. A fountain sat on top of a hill. Stone steps at her feet led up to the structure. Water flowed over the side of it, as if someone had been filling it and left the water running too long. The water continued its flow down the steps and seeped into the mossy ground at her feet.

Sloshing through the water, Fae made her way up the steps. Even though the air around her felt cold, the water warmed her feet. When she got to the top, she gasped at the breadth of the fountain. It was the size of a swimming pool, brimming with water that spilled over the side.

The singing stopped, and then a voice spoke, filling her with inexplicable joy. Fontaine. You’ve returned to me.

She’d heard this voice before, but couldn’t quite place where.

Come join me in the water.

“I’ll drown,” she said.

There was a warm chuckle. You won’t drown, my child. You are born of my waters.

“Who are you?” Fae asked, uncertain whether she should be terrified or not.

I am the Lady of the Fountain.

“Is that kind of like the Lady of the Lake? The one in King Arthur’s legend?”

You speak of Freya, my sister. My name is Ester.

Fae looked around at the forest of the Between and wondered if this was the place she was born, and not the bayou in Florida. Could her mother be buried around here?

This is not my original home, Ester said, as if she could read Fae’s thoughts. I have been moved twice in my lifetime. My first home is in a place you call Ethiopia. I lived happily there for many centuries. But then I was stolen from my home and brought to the Americas. For many years, I was kept safe by my guardians, but then one betrayed me and wished to exploit my powers. I did not allow him to use me to further his evil designs. But then I was left alone—until a man named Conall found me and brought me here.

“Why didn’t he return you to your home in Africa?”

He told me my home has been corrupted. I would not be safe there.

“I’m really sorry.”

Don’t worry over me, child. This place is wholly adequate.

“That’s good to hear.” Fae paused, the question she’d been dying to ask on the tip of her tongue. Finally, she asked, “Do you remember my mother and father? Do you know where I can find them?”

I’m sorry. Where they are, you cannot go. I am truly sorry.

“So they truly are dead?”

“Yes.”

Fae’s heart sank. She hoped that Brigitte had been lying and her parents were alive somewhere. Fae could feel the remorse emanating from the fountain and felt the need to comfort Ester.

“But, you saved me.”

Yes, I did.”

“Thank you,” Fae said.

You are welcome, my child.

Fae reached out her hand and touched the water. Her spirits immediately lightened. The water took on a green glow as a breathtaking face appeared just below the surface, haloed in long, black hair. The Lady smiled at her but remained beneath the water.

“So, you can grant youthfulness?” Fae asked.

Or take it, from anyone that touches my waters.

“What happens when they drink?”

They are not meant to drink. That is a theft. Youth stolen without permission. For most, the punishment is immediate—madness.

An errant leaf drifted and landed on the surface of the water. Fae expected it would float, but it didn’t. It dropped like a stone. This water wasn’t like any other she’d seen. Fae wondered what those waters had done to her.

The waters did nothing to you. I gave you my power. I saw what was planned from the beginning. I could not stop him from destroying my guardians, but I could keep him from succeeding in his quest for eternal life. So, I gave you my power—leaving me weak and powerless. That act accomplished two things—it kept the power from falling into evil hands, and it saved your life.

“Are you still powerless?”

No, my dear. I am now fully restored.

“That’s good to know, but I’m sorry to tell you that he found me. He came after me. He got his youth back.”

That is unfortunate. I only meant to protect. Instead, I cursed you.

“I wouldn’t call eternal youth a curse.”

It can be. There is no fear as universal as the fear of death. Men will kill to stop it. They will do the most heinous and terrible things to avoid it. And giving you the power to grant eternal life will make you forever a target. Now, will you please join me in my waters?

About the Author:

Holly Kelly is a mom who writes books in her spare time: translation–she hides in the bathroom with her laptop and locks the door while the kids destroy the house and smear peanut butter on the walls. She was born in Utah but moved around a bit, living in Kansas, Texas, and Hawaii where she studied marine biology. She’s now back in Utah–“happy valley”. She’s married to a wonderful husband, James, and they are currently raising 6 rambunctious children. Her interests are reading, writing (or course), martial arts, visual arts, creating Halloween props, and spending time with family.

The History behind the Mystery:

St. Augustine, Florida is rich in history, murder, intrigue, and ghost stories—making it the perfect setting for this book. You might be interested to know that some of the most outrageous tales in this novel are actually based on true history—including the tale of Captain Abela and Dolores. The tragic end to their love story occurred over two hundred years ago in a secret room located in St. Augustine’s Castillo de San Marcos—a castle-like fort built by the Spanish over three hundred years ago. Tourists are able to sign up for the St. Augustine Ghost Tour to learn more about the ill-fated lovers. The image at the right is the actual room in which they died. You’ll learn more about their story by reading Cursed by the Fountain of Youth.

Another interesting note: The legend of the Fountain of Youth has long been tied with St. Augustine and there is talk of a society that exists to protect the Fountain of Youth from discovery. No one knows if the society truly exists. If it does, it is cloaked in secrecy.

After the forest dwellers destroy her home and kill her father, Aerbrin sets off on a journey to find the truth about her people, her kingdom, and the mysterious Zaad stone that contains a power she never imagined.

Magic and mystery join forces in this intriguing fantasy world. Full of shifting alliances and twists you won’t see coming, it’s a can’t-miss read.

“Stay calm, her father’s words echoed in her head. When you find yourself in danger, above all, stay calm. Aerbrin took a deep, steady breath and leaned down, reaching for her bow. one of the Forest Dwellers charged. It collided with her and knocked her to the floor. Raising a knotted fist, he bashed her head.

Sparks exploded across her vision. She tried to raise an arm, tried to call out. Her body wouldn’t respond. The Forest Dwellers grunted again. The creature above her raised its fist again. She looked up. This was the end, she knew. When these monsters attacked, they killed everything.

Animals, plants, and particularly humans. No one survived.

Closing her eyes, Aerbrin forced her body to relax. This time, there was no pain.”

About the Author:

L. G. Rollins grew up in a far off land fighting dragons, stealing talismans, and traveling with dwarfs and elves. She is especially skilled at bribing giants with sweets. Currently, her husband and four kids live in Utah so that is where she spends most of her time. She may, or may not, have a Zaad Stone.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Synopsis

Written by a veteran mother of nine still up to her eyeballs in mud pies and mayhem, The Guilt-Free Guidebook for Moms is sure to keep you tickled, tearing up and turning pages as you learn how to break free of the chokehold of an endless To-Do list, so you can finally enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Brimming with baby steps, The Guilt-Free Guidebook for Moms will help you:

Eliminate guilt and perfectionism

Identify the “Superwoman Burnout” cycle that keeps you trapped in monotony

Escape the “Compare Snare” to shine in your own light

Finally and fully embrace the Joy cradled in your arms and in your heart.

As a mother of two kids, I was very intrigued by the title and hopeful. Being a Mom, I often feel guilty, anxious, whatever you want to call it, when I have a few moments to myself. I learned quickly in the introduction that in the book, the author draws on personal experience as well as religious text. As a religious person, I have no problem with this.

Top likes about this book:

The sections end with thought provoking questions and an action to help. A journal section is also included to help with this process.

The sections were quick easy reads that I could squeeze into my day. Even if I only had a couple minutes.

Even disagreeing with a few points, I do feel less guilty now compared to how I felt beforehand.

Top dislike:

I feel the book has a very specific religious mom audience.

Overall if you are Christian and a parent suffering from guilt I would recommend this book.

Behind Lefty, the other fisherman chuckled. “Pretty enough for both of us, huh, Lefty?”

Myla pulled her face out of Lefty’s grip and stood. “Don’t touch me.”

Lefty reached across Cam for Myla’s arm, but she stepped back.

“She said don’t touch her.” Cam rolled to his knees and pushed to his feet as Lefty’s fingers closed on the salty air. The pocket knife fell into the sand when Cam’s roped hands swung into Lefty’s jaw and the weathered crewman fell back into the fisherman who had started the fight chant. Cam stepped to lunge at both of them, but a pain exploded in his head and his feet went out from under him. He fell forward, blinking to clear his vision as he braced his elbows and knees on the sand to get back to his feet.

“No,” he heard Myla plead. “I could have put the knife through your throat. I won.”

Styx’s shadow fell on him and the point of her knife hovered just below his chin. “You no be moving, boy.”

Myla stepped up to his other side and wrapped her arms protectively around his shoulders. “You promised,” she challenged Styx.

Styx’s knife disappeared, but the dark woman’s shadow still blocked the last of the sun.

“She let you beat her, Myla,” Cam croaked out. He had seen it when Styx lowered her arms. Myla had done the same thing when she fought Tara on the ship in the mutants’ mock arena. Myla had let Tara pin her down for the win. Now Styx had purposefully given Myla the upper hand, letting Myla pin her on the sand. “She’s just playing with us. She’s a trained gladiator from the same House as Smith. There’s no way you beat her.”

Cam hated the look of pained disappointment on Myla’s face as the reality of their situation sunk in.

Lefty laughed from behind Cam. “Little bastard figured it out, captain. Nothin’ but games and death in Salvation.”

Cam straightened, glad for Myla’s arms around his shoulders as the twilight on the beach swayed in his vision.

Styx crouched in front of him, her eyes hard. “Colter Smith?”

If you sign up for Christine’s newsletter, you will receive a free ebook of her next Grimm Chronicles novella, One, Two, Blood on My Shoe, in May.

Christine Nielson Haggerty grew up in rural Utah with three brothers, a sister, several chickens, a goat, and an outhouse. She always loved the escape of fantasy and the art of writing, and her passion for life is to craft stories of strength and survival.

As a former high school language arts teacher and a black belt in karate, Christine has found a niche in combining those skills to help authors write effective fight scenes.

An award-winning young adult author, she writes the dystopian The Plague Legacy series and the dark fantasy fairytale novella series The Grimm Chronicles.

Melynda Price is the author of several contemporary and paranormal romance titles, including Until Darkness Comes, Shades of Darkness, Courting Darkness, and Braving the Darkness, all in the Redemption Series. Price writes for ardent readers who want to fall in love over and over again. Her goal is to make the unbelievable believable while taking her characters to the limit with stories full of passion, heart, and unexpected twists. Salting stories with undertones of history whenever possible, Price adds immeasurable depth to her well-crafted books.

Win by Submission is the first book of her upcoming mixed martial arts–themed Against the Cage series.

She lives with her husband and two children in Northern Minnesota, where there are plenty of snow-filled days to curl up in front of the fireplace with a hot cup of coffee and write.

After an illegal kick during a CFA title fight fractures Cole Easton’s spine, doctors say there’s nothing more they can do for the bitter Vegas fighter. They say it’s a miracle he can walk, if that’s what you call his crutch-dragging limp. Unwilling to give up on him, Cole’s manager sends the injured fighter to the best physical therapist he knows: his niece, Katie Miller. When Cole arrives in the small town of Somerset, Wisconsin, he quickly discovers his sly manager may have had reasons other than rehab for sending him to this frozen tundra.

After a year of running from an abusive ex-boyfriend, Katie has returned to her hometown to care for her father, who’s recovering from a stroke. When Uncle Marcus calls in a favor, she reluctantly finds herself taking on a rancorous MMA fighter, broken at the height of his career.

He’s insanely sex-on-a-stick hot—and everything she loathes in a man.

If Cole thinks his fighting days are over, he’s dead wrong. To save Katie from her past and to win her heart, he’ll be in for the fight of his life.

I have searched every nook and cranny to compile the evidence in Case File 13. Now, in this book, you will find the next eerie installment in the adventures of Nick, Carter, and Angelo, three monster-obsessed boys whose harmless trip to Mexico turned into something so horrendous, so revolting—

Wait a second, Mr. B! You’re making this whole thing sound way scarier than it really was. Maybe dial it back a notch?

But Nick, it is that scary. In this volume alone there are haunted pyramids, alien artifacts, and even a mummy with a terrible curse.

True, but there’s also the part with the hidden treasure, and the time when Carter used his knitting needles to—

Yes, all right, you win. Now if you’ll excuse me…

You hold in your hands a very sinister, VERY SILLY story, following the WACKY adventures of three boys whose expedition to Mexico turned into something OUT OF THIS WORLD. This is the fourth volume. Read on if you dare…

About the Author:

J. Scott Savage has returned after being lost in a Mexican rain forest. His office is now filled with Mayanscrolls, hieroglyphics, artifacts, and star charts. His children and children-in-law, Big Nick, Erica, Scott, Natalie, Jake, and Little Nick, look pale, and claim to be cursed. His grandchildren, Gray, Lizzie, and Jack, are heavily wrapped in mummy-like bandages. And his wife, Jennifer, has reportedly been seen glowing green and hexing the neighbors.

I must say that the book Being West is Best by author Monique Bucheger pleasantly surprised me. I don’t typically read middle grade novels, but I found myself pulled into the story of love, hurt and learning to be a family. Being West is Best is book four in the series, and despite not having read the first three, I was able to jump right in and follow along.

Set on a farm, the story follows two twelve-year old girls who are best friends. Ginni and Tillie are excited to become step-sisters now that Ginni’s dad has proposed to Tilli’s mom. However their planned happily ever after is threatened when Tillie’s father shows up. He abused Tillie and her mom before leaving for six years. He says he’s changed and wants his family back.

I found myself flipping through pages as fast as my eyes would read. Unlike other novels I’ve read, I found I couldn’t skip ahead. When I tried to skip, I just had to go back and read what I missed.

The variety of characters in the story kept me involved as I learned more about their pasts, dreams, and fears. The author was great at showing there is more than one side of a story. While characters had to face abuse, the reactions to dealing with it varied. So many stories shy away from the subject of abuse, but it is something that children and adults unfortunately encounter. That being said, the story made me laugh and cheer, and while it had depressing subjects I feel uplifted.

I was satisfied by the story plot and ending. The characters drew me in, and the world was easy to understand(family farm in modern times). I want this book so that I can share it with others. I feel this novel is one that can be enjoyed by anyone who can read it. I highly recommend it for anyone twelve or older. Out of five stars I give it a five.

To learn more about the author:

Monique Bucheger (author of The Secret Sisters Club: A Ginnie West Adventure)